SOUTHBAY FIRE DEPARTMENT

&

NORTH OLYMPIA FIRE DEPARTMENT

ASBESTOS REFRESHER

ASBESTOS

Objectives

1. Describe the properties of asbestos.2. List a variety of materials containing asbestos.3. Identify the health hazards associated with asbestos.4. Describe how to protect yourself from asbestos.5. Describe basic asbestos regulations.6. Successfully complete a written exam with 80% or

better.

ASBESTOS

WHAT IS IT?• ASBESTOS derives from a Greek word meaning

“inextinguishable.” • Defined as either of two incombustible, chemical resistant, fibrous

mineral forms of impure magnesium silicate, used for fireproofing, electrical insulation, building materials, brake linings, and chemical filters.

ASBESTOS

SO….WHAT IS IT….

A naturally occuring fibrous mineral (rock)

ASBESTOS

ASBESTOS

GENERAL OVERVIEW• First known use was in 2500 BC; used in pottery and hut

insulation. Greeks also spun and used the fibers in cloth. Asbestos was later used in wicks for sacred lamps.

• 1858- Asbestos entered the industrial realm• First asbestos mine in 1874

• First documented asbestos related death in 1906• True health concerns not identified until 1970’s• 2003- Use of asbestos outlawed

***Watch these videos***http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=VrkNPj-tbU4http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=h5x3aezix0I

ASBESTOS

GENERAL OVERVIEW

• 100,000 Individuals have died or will die from asbestos exposure encountered during ship manufacturing during World War 2.

• 1.3 million workers are currently exposed to asbestos in the United States every year.• Primarily in the construction industry• Number 1 exposure problem occurs in building

renovation and demolition.• Exposures also occur in automotive brake and clutch

repair, custodial work, and housekeeping.

ASBESTOS

CHARACTERISTICS

• Good Tensile Strength• Flexible• Heat Resistant• Electrical Resistance• Good Insulator• Chemical Resistant• Aerodynamic• Hydrophobic• Emits No Odor• Microscopic Particles

ASBESTOS

ASBESTOS TYPES

Chyrsotile (White Asbestos)

• >95% of all asbestos• Hair-like• Fine, flexible, silky

fibers with high tensile strength

ASBESTOS

ASBESTOS TYPES

Amosite (Brown Asbestos)

• <5% of all asbestos• Needle-like• Bonds well with plastics

and is often used in heat insulating materials

ASBESTOS

ASBESTOS TYPESCrocidolite (Blue Asbestos)

• <1% of all asbestos• Strongest asbestos• Usually found in conjunction

with chrysotile in wrapping, sheeting, piping and boiler wrap

• Other “blue asbestos” types include:

• Tremolite• Actinolite• Anthophyllite

ASBESTOS

ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS (ACM)

• Cement Pipes• Cement Wallboard• Cement Siding• Asphalt Floor Tile• Vinyl Floor Tile• Vinyl Sheet Flooring • Flooring Backing• Construction Mastics (floor tile,

carpet, ceiling tile, etc.)• Acoustical Plaster• Decorative Plaster• Textured Paints/Coatings• Ceiling Tiles and Lay-in Panels

• Spray-Applied Insulation• Blown-in Insulation• Fireproofing Materials• Taping Compounds (thermal)• Packing Materials (for wall/floor

penetrations)• High Temperature Gaskets• Laboratory Hoods/Table Tops• Laboratory Gloves• Fire Blankets• Fire Curtains

*Source- EPA

ASBESTOS

ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS (ACM)

Did you know….older generation firefighting turnouts contained asbestos for

it’s fire resistive characteristics???

Check this out…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hl_H68zhp_Q&feature=player_embedded

ASBESTOS

ACM VS. PACM

Asbestos Containing Material (ACM)• Any material containing 1% or more asbestos by weight

Presumed Asbestos Containing Material (PACM)• Handled as ACM unless proven otherwise• Surface materials, Thermal System Insulation, Flooring (all if

installed before 1981)

Many uses of asbestos have been banned under EPA and Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations. However, some materials where asbestos fibers are generally well bound in the materials were not banned. Previously installed products still pose a hazard to workers. Asbestos fibers can be released during repair work, demolition, and renovation of older buildings and structures containing ACM. (Source- WISHA)

ASBESTOS

ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS (ACM)

ASBESTOS

ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS (ACM)

Spray on fire-proofing Vinyl flooring containing asbestos

***These items may be found in homes manufactured before 1981.

ASBESTOS

ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS (ACM)

Pipe Insulation

ASBESTOS

ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS (ACM)

Mill board containing asbestos. Typically found around furnaces and wood stoves for the natural fire resistive characteristic of asbestos.

ASBESTOS

ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS (ACM)

ASBESTOS

ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS (ACM)

Old generation cement siding containing asbestos.

ASBESTOS

ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS (ACM)

Asbestos Ceiling Tiles Remember Popcorn Ceiling?Some contained asbestos.

ASBESTOS

ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS (ACM)

Joint Compound with Asbestos Plaster with asbestos

ASBESTOS

ASBESTOS IN THE FIRE BUILIDING

• Almost any material subjected to intense heat will burn away - except for asbestos

• To the firefighter working in a structure fire with ACM’s present, this means that you are working in a friable asbestos atmosphere.

ASBESTOS

ASBESTOS IN THE FIRE BUILIDING

• The hazardous and toxic atmosphere created by the fire often dissipates relatively quickly.

• The hazardous atmosphere created by the release of asbestos fiber does not.

ASBESTOS

ASBESTOS IN THE FIRE BUILIDING

• The fibers that have the greatest potential for respiratory damage can’t be seen.

• These fibers can remain airborne for hours and in the area indefinitely.

• The SCBA worn by the firefighter will protect from this exposure.

ASBESTOS

ASBESTOS IN THE FIRE BUILIDING

• Most filter masks, dust masks, won’t filter these small fibers.

• The HEPA filter half-mask (magenta cartridge) may stop some of the asbestos.

• Filter masks are not appropriate for asbestos exposure.

ASBESTOS

ASBESTOS IN THE FIRE BUILIDING

• Respiratory protection- SCBA’s- must be used during the fire investigation period if the damaged area is suspected to have asbestos contamination.

• Once you suspect that an area is contaminated, it is not easy to change that suspicion.

• There is no acceptable reason to allow an unmasked person, Fire Investigator, Fire Marshal or Chief, into a suspected contaminated area.

ASBESTOS

HEALTH EFFECTS

• Inhalation (Most common)• Injection• Ingestion

***Watch the following videos*** http://www2.worksafebc.com/Publications/Multimedia/Videos.asp?ReportID=35328

ASBESTOS

HEALTH EFFECTS

Asbestos fibers are microscopic (1-5 microns in size, a hair is 80 microns), and are easily inhaled when the fibers are airborne. In fact, asbestos fibers are only an inhalation hazard when they are friable (that is to say, when they are airborne, disturbed, or moving). Asbestos fibers travel deep in to the lungs and are deposited in the alveoli. Asbestos is so dangerous because the body’s natural defense mechanisms cannot break down asbestos fibers. Rather, the body attempts to isolate the fibers by building scar tissue around the fibers. In other words, once inhaled, asbestos fibers stay with you forever and only accumulate. Over time, the alveoli become less effective because of the scar tissue, and respiratory complications arise. In some cases, the fibers can travel in to and damage the pleura. The potential for developing any asbestos related disease depends on the amount of fibers inhaled, length of exposure, whether the individual smokes, and the age of the individual (most symptoms take 10-30 years to present themselves).

ASBESTOS

DISEASES

• Asbestosis• Lung Cancer• Mesothelioma• Pleural Plaques• Pleural Thickening• Colon, stomach, esophagus, pancreas cancers.

ASBESTOS

ASBESTOSIS

Asbestosis is the lung scarring that occurs as the body attempts to isolate asbestos fibers. Symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, and rales in the lungs. There is no effective treatment.

ASBESTOS

***Watch this video*** http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=RjE_nkkfvmw

MESOTHELIOMA

Mesothelioma is a rare form of lung cancer that attacks the pleura. It is very invasive and spreads quickly, eventually crushing the lungs. This form of cancer is currently 100% fatal.

Tumors protruding through the right rib cage.

ASBESTOS

MESOTHELIOMA

Mesothelioma is unlike asbestosis in the exposure requirements for the disease to develop. While there is a somewhat direct correlation between regular high-level exposure to asbestos and asbestosis, Mesothelioma can occur among people with little exposure, such as family members of individuals exposed to asbestos and not properly decontaminated before returning home. Steve McQueen died from mesothelioma.

ASBESTOS

ASBESTOS AND SMOKING

ASBESTOS

EXPOSURE LIMITS

Asbestos Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL)

0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter of air (0.1 f/cc) 8-hour time weighted average

1.0 f/cc 30-minute short-term exposure limit

ASBESTOS

LIMITING RISK

Assess the following:• Are the asbestos fibers

friable or non-friable?• Is the asbestos

isolated?• Is the material damaged

or intact?• Will employees be

working in the area?• Will the fibers be

disturbed during work?

ASBESTOS

CONTROL RISK• Train- Recognize asbestos containing materials and

understand the potential health effects if control measures are not taken

• Keep exposure records for 30 years.• Develop and control an exposure control plan.• Use HEPA filters.• Wet asbestos containing materials before handling.• Wear PPE including SCBA, gloves, foot and head

protection (INCLUDING OVERHAUL PHASE).• Decontaminate before leaving the warm zone with

copious amounts of water and control the run-off.• Be cognizant of Asbestos Warning Signs, and avoid these

areas.

ASBESTOS

FINAL THOUGHTS

• Asbestos is only dangerous if you aren’t educated, can’t recognize asbestos containing materials, and disturb the materials.

• Wearing PPE and SCBA when working on a fire scene, INCLUDING THE OVERHAUL PHASE, eliminates the risk of asbestos related diseases.

• Safety is your number 1 priority!!!!

ASBESTOS

RESOURCES

• WISHA/OSHA – Asbestos Webpage

• Environmental Protection Agency - Asbestos Webpage

• Department of Ecology – Asbestos Waste Webpage

• Oracle Solutions – Asbestos Webpage

• American Association of School Administrators